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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Brave Schola Director Posts Live Recording

Jeff Ostrowski · October 1, 2021

NOW THIS: I could not survive as a choirmaster without the phenomenal hymnal we use at our parish. We spend so much time working on Renaissance Mass settings, contemporary polyphony, and plainsong that we don’t have rehearsal time remaining for hymnody. But here’s the awesome part: the Brébeuf hymnal makes it possible—because of the unprecedented method used in its choral supplement—for singers to add parts, even though many have never sung in a choir before.

Below is a live recording from a few days ago. Notice how the voices keep splitting off into harmony (with each subsequent verse), something only possible thanks to the revolutionary way the score is printed in the Brébeuf choral supplement:

Not A Perfect Recording: I don’t claim that recording is perfect … but for a volunteer choir which is sight-reading, I’m quite pleased. We’re on the right track; and choirs need delightful, bright, fun pieces like this one. This beautiful tune—known as “ROCKINGHAM”—is worth singing, worth learning, and worthy of the temple. For the record, this melody appears in reputable Catholic hymnals. For instance, it’s Number 72 in the London Oratory Hymnal (as a hymn for Lent). In the New Westminster Hymnal it’s Number 73, paired with a hymn by Saint Thomas Aquinas (as a hymn for the Holy Eucharist).

Restoration: The other day I spoke about the Second Vatican Council’s missed opportunity vis-à-vis revision of the hymns. The Council declared—Sacrosanctum Concilium §93—that “the hymns are to be restored to their original form.” Sadly, what happened too often was elimination of verses. The ancient hymn for All Saints (1 November) is a good example. When Vatican II “restored” this hymn, a verse was deleted. However, the Brébeuf hymnal always gives you the entire hymn, with no verses deleted. It is without question the hymnal with the most textual authenticity; yet few these days seem to care about textual integrity.

Here’s a live recording of “Placáre Christe Sérvulis” (a.k.a. “Christe Redemptor”) from a few days ago:

Common Hymn Melodies: That hymn is number 161 in the Brébeuf hymnal. Notice how it utilizes what I have spoken about frequently—something absolutely necessary for choirmasters wishing to make headway in today’s environment—namely Common Hymn Melodies.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Christe Redemptor All Saints, Common Hymn Melodies, Feast of All Saints, Placare Christe Servulis, Rockingham Hymn, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Urbanite Hymn Reform Last Updated: October 1, 2021

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“You should try to eat their food in the way they prepare it, although it may be dirty, half-cooked, and very tasteless. As to the other numerous things which may be unpleasant, they must be endured for the love of God, without saying anything or appearing to notice them.”

— Fr. Paul Le Jeune (1637)

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